Arunachal Pradesh Verdict: ‘Tight slap on Modi government’s face’

July 15, 2016, 11:02 AM IST

New Delhi: The Supreme Court restored the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday as it quashed the decision of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa preponing the state assembly session in December 2015.

“This order to prepone the assembly violates the constitution,”said the five-judge bench headed by justice JS Kehar.

“All decisions taken by the Arunachal Pradesh assembly after December 9 are unsustainable and set aside,”said the bench.

This decision is a huge blow for the BJP-ruled Union government that ordered President’s Rule in the state, following which Congress rebels formed the government with support from the saffron party.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called the Supreme Court as a “tight slap on dictatorial Modi government”.

Mr Kejriwal tweeted. “Supreme Court judgment yet another tight slap on dictatorial (Narendra) Modi government. Hope Modiji would learn and now stop interfering in democratically elected governments.”
Rahul Gandhi thanked the apex court. He said. “Thank you Supreme Court for explaining to the Prime Minister what democracy is ArunachalPradesh.”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, said in a social media post that. “My heartfelt gratitude to the Supreme Court for restoring Cong government in Arunachal Pradesh. Judiciary has restored faith of people in democracy.”

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said. “We want the Governor to submit his resignation immediately and if he does not do so, we will ask for him to be dismissed both outside and inside Parliament. I have heard that Rajkhowa is on leave, he should go on long leave.”